Gloucester, MA vs Malden, MA

Gloucester is moderately more affordable than Malden, with a 14.5% lower cost of living index. Gloucester scores 129 compared to 151 for Malden, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Malden can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gloucester is $1,395/month compared to $2,066/month in Malden — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gloucester is more affordable at $587,800 median vs $607,500.

Median household income in Gloucester is $87,898 compared to $95,298 in Malden (-7.8%). The higher salaries in Malden partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gloucester spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, less than the 26% in Malden.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 51.9°F). Gloucester receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Malden.